be

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /biː/
• SAMPA: /bi:/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Audio (UK)

  (file)

• Homophone: bee

Verb

Plain form be

Present am, is, are

Past was, were

Past participle been

Present participle being

Negatives:

None, isn't, aren't

wasn't, weren't

None

None

Contractions:

'm, 's, 're

None

None

None

1. (auxiliary) (linking) This verb tells us that a thing is present, or in a place.

   The book is on the table.

   There was someone in the room.

   Were you at the party?

2. (auxiliary) (linking) Happen

   The party was on Saturday.

   The next meeting will be here.

3. (auxiliary) Go somewhere; visit someone (only in the present perfect tense)

   I've never been to Disneyland.

4. (auxiliary) (linking) A verb we use when describing.

   The book is blue.

   They were sad about losing the match.

   John is 35 years old this year.

   I'm fine.

   He'd like to be a doctor.

   The film was terrible!

   The book is 5 euro.

5. (auxiliary) (linking) Act like someone or something

   Look, Mummy! I'm being a dog! Woof, woof!

6. (auxiliary) We use a form of be and a gerund-participle to make progressive verb forms.

   He is sitting on the chair.

   I've been waiting for half an hour.

   They will be leaving on Tuesday.

Verb forms

• Present simple: I am, you are, he is, she is, it is, we are, you are, they are
• Past simple: I was, you were, he was, she was, we were, you were, they were
• Past participle: been
• Present participle: being

Related words

• being